Battle of Rich Mountain

The Battle of Rich Mountain was fought on 11 July 1861 during the American Civil War.

On 27 June 1861, Union general George B. McClellan, in command of the Union forces in West Virginia, moved his divisions from Clarksburg south against John Pegram's Confederates, reaching Rich Mountain on 9 July. Meanwhile, Thomas A. Morris' brigade marched from Philippi to confront Robert S. Garnett's command at Laurel Hill. On 10-11 July, William Rosecrans led a reinforced brigade through the mountains to seize the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike. When battle was pet on 11 July 1861, the Confederate army was split in two, with Garnett's forces escaping to Beverly via the Shawnee Trail as Pegram's troops surrendered on 13 July.